Written question asked by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 2 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 March 2006. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Marine Environment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the new marine environmental high risk areas for (a) Muckle Flugga, (b) Fethaland, Shetland and (c) Tor Ness, Hoy.

Answer: The establishment of Marine Environmental High Risk Areas (MEHRAs) is just one of a number of measures used to protect the UK coast from possible environmental impacts of shipping in addition to existing protective measures. As a result of their identification, ships' mariners are expected to take note of MEHRAs and either to keep well clear or, where this is not practicable, to exercise an even higher degree of care than usual when passing through a MEHRA.The shipping industry will be made aware of the location of MEHRAs by means of markings on UK Hydrographic Office charts and through Marine Guidance Notices issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Secondary information